Pachymelus ( Pachymelopsis ) conspicuus Smith, 1879

Wood, Thomas J., 2025, A taxonomic update to Pachymelus (Pachymelopsis) Cockerell, with a new species from Ethiopia (Hymenoptera, Apidae), Contributions to Entomology 75 (2), pp. 339-353 : 339-353

Pachymelus ( Pachymelopsis) conspicuus Smith, 1879

Pachymelus conspicuus Smith, 1879: 117, ♀ [ Malawi, NHMUK, examined] (Fig. 1).

Pachymelus insulanus Stadelmann, 1898 : ♀ [ Tanzania, ZMB, not examined].

Habropoda bettoni Cockerell, 1910: 215, ♂ [ Kenya, NHMUK, examined] (Fig. 2) syn. nov.

Material examined.

Ethiopia • 1 ♂; Abyssinia, Busika ; 5 Nov. 1911; R. J. Stordy leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 1 ♂; Abyssinia, Higo Samula ; 30 Oct. 1911; R. J. Stordy leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK ; Kenya • 1 ♂; B. E. Africa ; C. S. Betton leg.; NHMUK ( holotype of Habropoda bettoni ) • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Brit. E. Af., 30 miles from Magadi Junc. ; 1–30 Apr; 1912; F. G. Hamilton leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 1 ♀; Brit. E. Af., Kibwezi ; 3,000 ft a. s. l.; 2–4 Apr. 1911; S. A. Neave leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Brit. E. Af., Mtito Andei ; 2, 500 ft a. s. l.; 26–28 Mar. 1911; S. A. Neave leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 1 ♀; Brit. E. Af., Voi ; 8–10 Feb. 1912; S. A. Neave leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 1 ♂; Brit. E. Africa, E. shore Vic. Nyanza, near Karungu ; 28–29 Apr. 1911; S. A. Neave leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 1 ♂; Brit. E. Africa, Kuja Valley, S. Kavirondo ; 4,000 ft a. s. l.; 30 Apr. – 1 May 1911; S. A. Neave leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Nzoi [probably Nzaui Hill], Ukambani Country ; 1 Jan. – 28 Feb. 1889; F. J. Jackson leg.; NHMUK • 8 ♂, 2 ♀; Taita Hills, Voi river ; 14 Apr. 2007; M. Halada leg.; OÖLM / TJWC • 1 ♀; Voi (Tsavo) env. ; 22 Nov. – 2 Dec. 1996; Mi. Halada leg.; OÖLM • 1 ♀; Afrique Orient. Angl., Kibwezi ( Wa-Kamba ); 1904; Ch. Alluaud leg.; T. J. Wood det.; MNHN ; Malawi • 1 ♀; [label illegible]; NHMUK ( holotype of Pachymelus conspicuus ) ; Tanzania • 1 ♂; German E. Africa, Stigi [? Sijiji Hill] ; 19 Apr. 1917; Dr. G. D. H. Carpenter leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 1 ♂; Mkomazi Game Res., Mbula Hill ; 25 Dec. 1994; G. N. Stone leg.; T. J. Wood det.; OUMNH • 1 ♀; Rukwa Valley, Tanganyi a.; 1–31 May 1953; FitzGerald leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 1 ♀; Tanganyika: Old Shinyanga ; 23 Mar. 1952; E. Burtt leg.; G. E. J. Nixon det.; 1958; NHMUK • 1 ♂; W. Shore of K. Manyara ; 1 Feb. – 31 May 1935; B. Cooper leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK ; Zambia • 1 ♀; N. Rhodesia, Road to Nangereri ; 6 Feb. 1911; Silverlock leg.; T. J. Wood det.; NHMUK • 4 ♂, 2 ♀; N. E. Rhodesia, Up. Luangwa Valley ; 1800–2000 ft a. s. l.; 8–9 Mar. 1908; S. A. Neave leg.; D. B. Baker det. 1988; OUMNH • 2 ♂; N. E. Rhodesia, Up. Luangwa Valley ; 1800–2000 ft a. s. l.; 22–26 Mar. 1908; S. A. Neave leg.; D. B. Baker det. 1988; OUMNH • 1 ♀; Siovonga [Siavonga] ; 11 Apr. 1981; G. G. M. Schulten leg.; C. Eardley det. 1993; RMNH .

Notes.

Although P. conspicuus was nominally reported from Ethiopia by Eardley (1993), the specific male specimens cited were actually P. armatipes . The presence of P. conspicuus in Ethiopia is supported by the additional specimens presented above, although the exact localities within “ Abyssinia ” cannot currently be traced. As discussed above, it is appropriate to synonymise P. bettoni under P. conspicuus as its male.

Distribution.

Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia ( Smith 1879; Cockerell 1910; Eardley 1993, as Pachymelus conspicuus partim and Pachymelus bettoni ).

Figures

Figure 1. Pachymelus conspicuus Smith, 1879 holotype female (NHMUK). A. Label details; B. Body, dorsal view; C. Head and mesosoma, anterolateral view; D. Metasoma, dorsal view.

Figure 2. Habropoda bettoni Cockerell, 1910 (= Pachymelus conspicuus Smith, 1879) holotype male (NHMUK). A. Label details; B. Habitus, lateral view; C. Head, frontal view; D. Fore tarsus, dorsal view; E. Hind tarsus, dorsal view; F. Metasoma, dorsal view.